Summer means a perfect time to head off the beach. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy the warmth of the sun and tan the skin naturally. For some, lying on a beach bed outside the house is perfect enough to have a suntan. This means that tanning oils become a necessity for those who love to achieve a golden complexion.
Chemical-based sunscreens and sun blocks can be harmful to the skin. The ingredients may cause irritation and damage to your skin. Sometimes, these products may not be effective in protecting the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Moreover, they may fail to keep the skin moisturized.
While you tan your skin naturally, you can opt to use natural tanning oils like coconut oil. Coconut oil will take care of your skin while you enjoy soaking under the sun.
How to Tan with Coconut Oil
Why is coconut oil a great alternative to your chemical-based sun blocks and sunscreens?
- Coconut Oil Protects Your Skin
Sun exposure is one of the main causes of skin dryness, sunburn, and premature skin aging. Your skin eventually loses moisture, and prolonged exposure causes the skin to be burned. Application of coconut oil before exposing yourself to the scorching heat keeps you from such damaging effect. Lauric acid, a medium chain fatty acid, locks in moisture to protect your skin from dryness and further damage. Moreover, it has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties to protect you from any possible infection and inflammation. It’s also rich in antioxidants that protect the skin from burning and sun damage. - Coconut Oil is a Natural Oil
Unlike chemical-based sunscreens and sun blocks, coconut oil is 100% natural. It’s totally free from toxic ingredients like paraben. This natural tanning oil is very affordable and readily available. The sweet scent will make you feel like you’re sunbathing somewhere in the tropics! - Coconut Oil Nourishes Your Skin
Coconut oil has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish your skin and give it a healthy glow. Moreover, the skin becomes smooth and shiny. And because it’s oil in nature, your skin is well-hydrated and moisturized. - Coconut Oil Gets You Tanned in No Time
No need to expose yourself longer in the sun. Coconut oil has Vitamin E and other nutrients that activate Melanin production. You get that golden tan skin faster than any chemical-based sunscreens. Applying coconut oil on the skin and sunbathing for about 20 minutes will give you a healthier suntanned skin. - Coconut Oil Absorbs Vitamin D
The sun is a rich source of Vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for bone growth and strength. However, it’s usually blocked by most sunscreens and sun blocks. With coconut oil, your skin absorbs more Vitamin D without harming it from the sun’s UV rays.
How to Tan with Coconut Oil
Now that you’ve read the benefits of coconut oil for tanning, here are ways on how to tan with coconut oil. You’ll surely get that healthy sun-kissed complexion in no time!
1. Tanning with Coconut Oil
- Apply and rub the melted pure, unrefined, virgin coconut oil thoroughly all over your body.
- Now, enjoy a good sunbath at the beach or the pool.
- After every 10 to 15 minutes, reapply coconut oil. Make sure you apply the oil thoroughly.
2. Coconut Oil Sunscreen with Walnut, Avocado, and Sesame Oils
You can use it as your natural sunscreen while you enjoy a good tanning session.
You’ll need:
- Pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil
- Coconut essential oil
- Vanilla essential oil
- Walnut oil
- Avocado oil
- Sesame oil
Directions:
- In a small bowl, mix two teaspoons each of sesame, walnut, and avocado oils.
- In 1/4 cup of pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil, add five to ten drops each of coconut
- Stir the mixture well and pour the oil mixture into an airtight dark-colored container.
3. Coconut Oil Sunscreen with Walnut Oil and Green Tea
Use this mixture as your daily sunscreen solution.
You’ll need:
- Pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil
- Walnut oil
- Green tea
DIRECTIONS
- In 1/4 cup of pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil, mix two teaspoons of walnut oil and 1/2 cup of brewed green tea.
- Store in a dark-colored airtight container.
4. Coconut Oil with Lanolin Oil and Black Tea Tanning Oil
You can apply this natural tanning oil while you go out for a sunbath.
You’ll Need:
- Pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil
- Lanolin oil
- Black tea
DIRECTIONS:
- In a 3/4 cup of boiling water, put three black tea bags and let it brew for a couple of minutes.
- In a blender, add 1/4 cup of pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil and 1/4 cup of lanolin oil. Also, add in the brewed black tea. Blend the ingredients well.
- Store it in an airtight container.
With these natural tanning methods using coconut oil, you can naturally achieve a healthy tanned complexion. However, coconut oil can’t guarantee a 100% protection for your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It’s advisable that you shouldn’t stay too long under the sun. Spending about ten to fifteen minutes outside with coconut oil applied on the skin is enough to give you a healthy tan. It also provides a healthy dose of Vitamin D for the skin to absorb. Moreover, remember to buy pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil as it retains most of the nutrients.